Purrfect time to find a friend
Published on 23 May 2019 02:37 PM
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin and Paws Café in Shrewsbury are launching a new coffee morning to combat loneliness in older people.
Every Thursday starting on 6 June, you can pop in for a cuppa, make new friends and enjoy the company of 11 furry felines at Shropshire’s first cat café.
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin run various social groups and classes for older people across Shropshire and we approached Paws Café to create a new social experience to help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation in older people.
Many organisations use pet therapy, especially care homes who organise visits from animals to help with their residents’ mental health. Research has shown that stroking and playing with animals is good for your health and can reduce stress, anxiety and blood pressure levels.
Katie Fields and James Radnor, owners of Paws Café said: ‘Time spent with cats is never wasted; this is a popular quote by Sigmund Freud. Here at Paws Café you can enjoy valuable time with our 11 resident cats. Lots of our customers are no longer able to have their own cat, so enjoy coming to Paws Café to spend time with our friendly felines who love fuss and play.’
Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, said: ‘We are really looking forward to seeing the benefits this coffee morning can provide. Sadly, loneliness and isolation is all too often something that older people feel, but we hope this experience will not only bring people together but improve their mental health and wellbeing too.’
The weekly coffee morning starts on Thursday 6 June 2019, 10.00am-12.00pm. A one hour session is £10, two hours costs £20, with tea/coffee and biscuits included.
Carers who accompany an older person can benefit from free entry. Please be aware that the café has several steps to navigate, with the toilets and mezzanine floor presently unavailable to wheelchair users.
Advance booking is essential, so call Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin on 01743 233 123, email pawscafeuk@gmail.com or book online at www.pawscafe.co.uk